Sports Now poor JaMarcus Russell willing to play for free

The Raiders didn't exactly get their money worth when they signed JaMarcus Russell to a 6-year, $61 million deal after the 2007 NFL draft, but they could get a much better bargain if they want to give him another chance under center.

Russell is willing to play for free, according to an interview for an upcoming video piece for Sports Illustrated. The magazine reports that the former #1 pick wrote to every team last season asking for another chance.

Despite his reputation as the biggest bust of the Al Davis era, Russell says he did things right as a pro and still has the fire to compete in the NFL.

"You might see me back," he told SI. "You never know, man. You never know... Whatever it is—I can be a water boy and work my way into a scout team. It doesn't matter. I'll go play for free."

Russell played only three years of his original deal before the Raiders cut him loose. A 2013 comeback attempt failed. The SI video preview suggests he spends most of his time now looking out at a lake and wondering why the phone isn't ringing.